Handling

Foxaway Rabbits Home Chinchilla Home About Chinchillas History of My Chinchillas My Chinchillas
Velvet Lions Home Chinchilla Nursery Chinchillas for Sale Cages & Supplies General Information
Recommended Resources Food Housing Grooming Maintenance
Health Behavior Breeding Links e-mail me

Chinchillas are very active and very fast little rodents. They only weigh between about 400-1000 grams (less than 1 pound up to a little over 2 pounds) and have a fairly fragile bone structure. Careful handling is crucial. The best way to pick up your chin is by grasping the base of the tail with one hand and under the chest with the other. NEVER grab a chin by the tip of the tail since you could end up with a tail in your hand and no chin! Hold your chinchilla close against you and always keep your hand on the base of the tail when handling him. Be gentle and speak calmly to him so that he knows he can trust you or he may not let you pick him up at all, which can create problems is you absolutely have to catch him to take him to the vet or give him medicine.

Chinchilla Home Foxaway Rabbits Home